Many of the Serengeti's wildebeest, accompanied by large numbers of zebra, and smaller numbers of Grant's gazelle, Thompson's gazelle, eland and impala, spend their whole year migrating in an annual pattern, seeking fresh grazing and, it's now thought, better quality water. Their movements follow a fairly predictable pattern – universally known as the “great Serengeti wildebeest migration” – although the precise timing of it is entirely dependent upon the rainfall patterns each year.

This movement, month by month, is shown on the moving map on the right side of this page. In addition – see a more detailed map of the Serengeti showing the park's boundaries and the camps and lodges – or an interactive satellite map of the Serengeti with the safari camps and lodges.

The Serengeti migration – month by month

The short rains begin around early November. A little after this, in late November and December, the herds arrive on the short-grass plains of the Serengeti. These are south and east of Seronera, around Ndutu and include the north of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Dispersed across these plains, wildebeest and zebra are everywhere – feeding on the fresh, nutritious grasses. They stay here through January, February and March, with most wildebeest calves born in a short window around February. Gradually they spread west across these plains, then around April they start their great migration north.

By May the Serengeti's wildebeest all seem to be moving north, migrating to seek fresh grazing and water. The area around Moru Kopjes and west of Seronera is then hectic with a series of moving columns, often containing hundreds of thousands of animals – joined by many zebra, and a scattering of Thompson's and Grant's gazelles.

Some then head due north of Seronera, but most are usually further west. Around June they are often halted on the south side of the Grumeti River, which blocks their migration north. The wildebeest then congregate there, in the Western Corridor, often building up to an incredible density before a series of panicked crossings ensue - one animal crosses and the rest rush across. This is the annual feast for the Grumeti River's large crocodiles.

The wildebeest migration continues moving northwards during July and August, often spreading out across a broad front: some heading through Grumeti Reserve and Ikorongo, others north through the heart of the National Park.

September sees the herds spread out across the northern Serengeti, where the Mara River provides another serious obstacle. This river gushes through the northern Serengeti from Kenya's adjacent Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Watching the frantic herds of the wildebeest migration crossing the Mara River can be very spectacular; there are often scenes of great panic and confusion. It's common to see herds cross the Mara River north on one day, and then back south a few days later.

By October the wildebeest herds are migrating again with more accord: all are heading south, through western Loliondo and the Serengeti National Park's Lobo area, returning to the green shoots which follow the rains on the short-grass plains of the southern Serengeti in November.

Then the whole Serengeti Wildebeest migration starts again …

The Serengeti migration – more information

For a detailed area-by-area breakdown, and to work out where is best for you to visit, see our section on the Serengeti National Park and its surrounding reserves

For more geographical information on the area covered by the Serengeti migration, see our detailed map of the Serengeti showing the national park's boundaries and the safari camps and lodges – or an interactive satellite map of the Serengeti with the safari camps and lodges.


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